Training arrangement

ABSTRACT

In the case of a training arrangement ( 1 ) with at least one first exercising apparatus ( 2 ) and one second exercising apparatus ( 3 ), wherein the first exercising apparatus ( 2 ) is connected to a first computer ( 4 ) for controlling and/or recording a training program, and wherein the second exercising apparatus ( 3 ) is connected to a second computer ( 5 ) for controlling and/or recording a training program, and wherein the first exercising apparatus ( 2 ) is designed differently from the second exercising apparatus ( 3 ), it is proposed, for efficient and health-promoting physical training, that the first computer ( 2 ) and the second computer ( 3 ) are designed for the exchange of data, in particular control, training and/or personal data, and are preferably connected by a data line ( 5 ).

The invention relates to a training arrangement according to thepreamble of claim 1.

Exercising apparatuses are known which are controlled by a computerand/or which record and/or display training sequences and/or evaluatethe success of an exercise. It is also customary, in particular inso-called fitness centers, to perform a number of exercisessequentially. However, these exercises are disadvantageously performedon different exercising apparatuses independent of the previouslyperformed exercises, so that the individual exercising apparatuses donot evaluate the exercises performed on other exercising apparatuses.This results in inefficient training and later possibly to overexertionor an exercise causing bodily injury, thus turning the expected positiveoutcome of the exercise, namely improving the well-being of a subject,into a disappointment.

It is an object of the invention to provide an exercising apparatus ofthe afore-described type, which obviates the aforementioneddisadvantages and supports efficient, health-promoting physicaltraining.

This is attained with the invention by the features of claim 1.

The exercises already performed on the other exercising apparatuses canthen be automatically taken into consideration when performing anexercise on an exercising apparatus. The settings, parameters andtraining programs selected by the exercising apparatus can thereby beadapted to the performance already achieved by this subject or the wayhe/she is feeling on the day of the exercise. Due to the possibility ofdata exchange between the individual exercising apparatuses and mutualadaptation of the individual training sequences, the overall trainingresults can be a significantly improved in comparison to if theexercises were performed on each exercising apparatus independently. Inaddition, overexertion of the subject can be prevented, because anexercising apparatus can, for example, recognize that a subject hasalready performed a high-stress exercise on other exercising apparatusesand can alert the subject to this situation, for example by a warning,or inform an employee of the fitness center or perform an emergencystop.

In one embodiment of the invention, the first exercising apparatus andthe second exercising apparatus may be configured as an exercisingapparatus selected from the group:

-   exercising apparatus for training and/or for determining the body    stability about a first axis,-   exercising apparatus for training and/or for determining the body    stability about a second axis which is essentially perpendicular to    the first axis,-   exercising apparatus for training and/or for determining the body    stability about the first axis and the second axis,-   exercising apparatus for training and/or for determining the body    stability about a rotation axis which is essentially perpendicular    to the first axis and the second axis, and-   exercising apparatus for training and/or for determining the body    stability during essentially unrestrained gyrating or swinging.

In this way, the body stability can be trained about different axes, anda corresponding body stability index can be measured. The differentconfiguration of the consecutively arranged exercising apparatusespreferably supports the so-called body-axes-conform training, with thebody stability being trained about a single axis only for precisely thisreason.

In another embodiment of the invention, at least one biometric stationwith a fifth computer may be provided, in particular for detectingand/or recording biometric data of people, preferably mass and/orweight, body fat, glucose level and/or pulse, and the fifth computermaybe configured for data exchange with the first, second, third and/orfourth computer. In this way, the physical condition of a subject duringtraining can be taken into consideration and/or controlled.

The invention will now be described with reference to the appendeddrawings, which show essentially only preferred embodiments.

FIG. 1 shows a first preferred embodiment of a training arrangementaccording to the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a second preferred embodiment of a training arrangementaccording to the invention;

FIG. 3 shows a third preferred embodiment of a training arrangementaccording to the invention;

FIG. 4 shows a preferred embodiment of a first exercising apparatus;

FIG. 5 shows a preferred embodiment of a second exercising apparatus;

FIG. 6 shows a preferred embodiment of a third exercising apparatus;

FIG. 7 shows a preferred embodiment of a fourth exercising apparatus;

FIG. 8 shows a fourth preferred embodiment of a training arrangementaccording to the invention;

FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of another exercising apparatus in a frontelevation; and

FIG. 10 shows an exercising apparatus according to FIG. 9 in a side viewin cross-section.

Training arrangement 1 with at least one first exercising apparatus 2and one second exercising apparatus 3, wherein the first exercisingapparatus 2 is connected with a first computer 4 for controlling and/orrecording a training program, and wherein the second exercisingapparatus 3 is connected with a second computer 5 for controlling and/orrecording a training program, and wherein the first exercising apparatus2 is configured different from the second exercising apparatus 3,wherein the first computer 2 and the second computer 3 are configuredfor exchange of data, in particular control, training and/or personaldata, and preferably connected by a data line 6.

An exercise already performed on the other exercising apparatuses 2, 3,8, 10 can then be automatically taken into consideration when performingan exercise on an exercising apparatus 2, 3, 8, 10. For example, thesettings, parameters in training programs selected by the exercisingapparatus 2, 3, 8, 10 can be adapted to the performance already achievedby a subject or to his/her physical condition on the day of theexercise. By enabling data exchange between the individual exercisingapparatuses 2, 3, 8, 10 and mutual adaptation of the individual trainingsequences, the overall training outcome can be significantly improved incomparison to situations where exercises are performed on eachexercising apparatus 2, 3, 8, 10 separately. In addition, overexertionof the subject can be prevented, because an exercising apparatus 2, 3,8, 10 can, for example, recognize that a subject has exercisedstrenuously on the other exercising apparatuses 2, 3, 8, 10 and canalert the subject, for example by a warning, to this situation, informan employee of the fitness center or perform an emergency stop.

Exercising apparatuses 2, 3, 8, 10 for training arrangements 1 accordingto the invention may include any type of exercising apparatus 2, 3, 8,10, which has at least one computer 4, 5, 9, 11 or is connected to suchcomputer, for example by a data line 6, wherein the at least onecomputer 4, 5, 9, 11 may be any type of computer 4, 5, 9, 11, forexample a conventional PC or a microcomputer integrated in theexercising apparatus 2, 3, 8, 10. The at least one computer 4, 5, 9, 11has preferably at least one display element, in particular at least onelight-emitting element, preferably an arrangement of light-emittingelements and/or a display screen 16. The at least one computer 4, 5, 9,11 is provided for controlling and/or recording a training program. Theexercising apparatuses 2, 3, 8, 10 can therefore be computer-controlledexercising apparatuses 2, 3, 8, 10, such as computer-controlled bicyclesimulators, and/or exercising apparatuses 2, 3, 8, 10 where only thetraining progression is recorded, and/or exercising apparatuses 2, 3, 8,10 where a default setting is indicated to the subject via an interface,for example an optical display and/or and an acoustic transducer,wherein the subject has to satisfy the default setting on the exercisingapparatus 2, 3, 8, 10 or with the help of the exercising apparatus 2, 3,8, 10. Moreover, the computer 4, 5, 9, 11 may be used to compare themovements performed by the subject with the default settings, andcalculate or determine a comparison value, and display this comparisonvalue. For example, the computer 4, 5, 9, 11 may determine and/ordisplay a percentage value indicating the percentage by which anexercise performed by the subject agrees with the default setting. Thedefault setting may be indicated a balance beam which is displayed onthe display screen of the computer 4, 5, 9, 11 and moves according tothe training default setting, or preferably by an animated graphicfigure which is also displayed on a computer display screen.

According to the invention, the first computer 2 and the second computer3 are configured for exchange of data. Any method may be used for dataexchange, and hence also any type of device may be used for the dataexchange. Preferably, at least one data line 6 may be provided, whichconnects the first computer 4 and the second computer 5 and via whichdata can be exchanged. The first computer 4 and the second computer 5may also transmit data by way of a power lines and/or wireless, forexample via infrared, sound and, more particularly, radio waves, forexample Bluetooth, WLAN, GSM and the like. The connection of twocomputers 4, 5 with a data line 6 typically forms a network 7 includingthese computers 4, 5, i.e., a so-called computer network. This may beany type of computer network, for example Ethernet, token ring or theInternet. When the computers 4, 5, 9, 11 are arranged in a network, theycan exchange the acquired data and take these data into considerationwhen setting up or selecting a training program. FIG. 1 shows aschematic block diagram of a training arrangement 1 according to theinvention, wherein the first and the second computer 4, 5 are connectedvia a data line 6, thereby forming a network 7.

Alternatively or in addition, the first and the second computer 4, 5 mayalso be constructed as one piece, with a single computer 4, 5controlling and/or regulating the first and the second exercisingapparatus 2, 3. In this way, only a single computer 4, 5, 9, 11 can beused to control all exercising apparatuses 2, 3, 8, 10, wherein thecomputer 4, 5, 9, 11 manages all data of the connected exercisingapparatuses 2, 3, 8, 10 and controls the various exercising apparatuses2, 3, 8, 10 by taking into consideration the performance alreadyachieved by a subject. For example, a USB hub may be provided to connectseveral exercising apparatuses 2, 3, 8, 10 to a single computer 4, 5, 9,11. FIG. 2 shows in a schematic block diagram a training arrangement 1according to the invention, wherein the first and the second computer 4,5 are constructed as one piece, i.e., the first and the second computer4, 5 are formed by only one computer 4, 5.

According to the invention, at least one first and one second exercisingapparatus 2, 3 are provided. Advantageously, any predetermined number ofexercising apparatuses 2, 3, 8, 10 and computers 4, 5, 9, 11 can bearranged in a training arrangement 1 according to the invention.Particularly preferred is a training arrangement 1 with one first, onesecond, one third and one fourth exercising apparatus 2, 3, 8, 10, whichare each connected with a corresponding first, second, third and fourthcomputer 4, 5, 9, 11. All embodiments illustrated above having only onefirst and one second exercising apparatus 2, 3 and the correspondingcomputers 4, 5 are similarly applicable to training arrangements 1 withmore than two exercising apparatuses 2, 3, 8, 10. FIG. 4 shows such atraining arrangement 1 with a first, a second, a third and a fourthexercising apparatus 2, 3, 8, 10, wherein the first, second, third andfourth computer 4, 5, 9, 11 are constructed as one piece.

In addition to the exercising apparatuses 2, 3, 8, 10, the trainingarrangements 1 may include at least one biometric station with a fifthcomputer, in particular for detecting and/or recording biometric data ofpeople, preferably mass and/or weight, body fat, glucose level and/orpulse, wherein the fifth computer is configured for data exchange withthe first, second, third and/or fourth computer 4, 5, 9, 11. Thebiometric data of the subject before and after the training can then berecorded and compared, so that the outcome of the training can beconfirmed.

Preferably, a subject who wishes to exercise on the individualexercising apparatuses 2, 3, 8, 10, 15 of the training arrangements 1,must sign in or log in. This can be done via a keyboard configured forinputting numbers and letters; in addition, at least one sensor may alsobe provided that recognizes characteristic body features, for example atleast one fingerprint, a retinal scan or voice. A subject can therebysign in quickly and easily at the different exercising apparatuses 2, 3,8, 10.

As already mentioned, any type of exercising apparatus 2, 3, 8, 10, 15may be provided. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the firstexercising apparatus 2 and/or the second exercising apparatus 3 and/or athird exercising apparatus 8 and/or a fourth exercising apparatus 10and/or at least one additional exercising apparatus 15 may each beconfigured as an exercising apparatus 2, 3, 8, 10, 15 selected from thegroup:

-   exercising apparatus (2, 3, 8, 10, 15) for training and/or for    determining the body stability about a first axis (12),-   exercising apparatus (2, 3, 8, 10, 15) for training and/or for    determining the body stability about a second axis (13) which is    essentially perpendicular to the first axis (12),-   exercising apparatus (2, 3, 8, 10, 15) for training and/or for    determining the body stability about the first axis (12) and the    second axis (13),-   exercising apparatus (2, 3, 8, 10, 15) for training and/or for    determining the body stability about a rotation axis (14) which is    essentially perpendicular to the first axis (12) and the second axis    (13), and-   exercising apparatus (2, 3, 8, 10, 15) for training and/or for    determining the body stability during essentially unrestrained    gyrating or swinging.

Preferably, the consecutively arranged exercising apparatuses 2, 3, 8,10, 15 in a training arrangement 1 may be configured differently, or maybe configured for training and/or for determining the body stabilityabout different body axes. Preferably, in a training arrangement 1according to the invention, each of the employed exercising apparatuses2, 3, 8, 10, 15 is configured differently from any of the otherexercising apparatuses 2, 3, 8, 10, 15 in the training arrangement 1,because each exercising apparatus 2, 3, 8, 10, 15 is only provided oncein the training arrangement 1. The consecutively arranged exercisingapparatuses 2, 3, 8, 10, 15 can be arranged in any permutation, whereinFIG. 8 shows a particularly preferred embodiment of a trainingarrangement 1 according to the invention, with a first, a second, athird and a fourth exercising apparatus 2, 3, 8, 10, as will bedescribed in more detail below.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the first exercising apparatus 2is configured for training and/or determining the body stability about afirst, in particular a horizontal, axis 12. The body stability canthereby be trained about one axis, for example back and forth with aseesaw, and a corresponding body stability index can be measured. Thisarrangement can be implemented for a subject, as shown in FIG. 4, as aseesaw 18 with a support plate 17 that is able to pivot only about afirst axis 12. The second exercising apparatus 3 is here preferablyconfigured for training and/or for determining the body stability abouta second axis 13 that is perpendicular to the first axis of, inparticular horizontal, as also illustrated in the example shown in FIG.5. The body stability can thereby be trained about another axis, forexample by a seesaw 18 on the left side and the right side, and acorresponding body stability index can be measured. The results from thetraining on the first exercising apparatus 2 can here be taken intoconsideration, so that the overall training result is far better thanwhen training separately and independently on the two exercisingapparatuses 2, 3. The seesaw 18 can be constructed similar to thatdepicted in FIG. 4, but rotated by 90°, allowing be training and/ortesting of the sideways or lateral stability.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the third exercising apparatus 8can be configured for training and/or determining the body stability atleast about the first axis 12 and the second axis 13. The body stabilitycan hereby be trained about a substantially unrestricted, but preferablydamped, swivel or pivot point, and a corresponding body stability indexcan be measured. The results from the training on the first and/orsecond exercising apparatus 2, 3 can be taken into consideration, sothat the overall training result is far better than when trainingseparately and independently on the aforementioned exercisingapparatuses. Preferably, the third exercising apparatus 8, as shown inFIG. 6, has an essentially centrally supported support plate 17 whichallows tilting and/or gyrating about the center 19. The central supportis preferably implemented with an elastomeric cylinder 21, in particulara cylinder made of rubber, and/or a coil spring which can be sheathed byan elastomer at least in certain sections.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the fourth exercising apparatus10 is configured as an exercising apparatus 2, 3, 8, 10 for trainingand/or determining the body stability about a rotation axis 14 that issubstantially perpendicular to the first axis 12 and the second axis 13.The body stability about a rotation axis can thereby be trained and acorresponding body stability in its can be measured. The results fromtraining on the first, second and/or third exercising apparatus 2, 3, 8can be taken into consideration, so that the overall training result isfar better than when training separately and independently on theaforementioned exercising apparatuses. FIG. 7 shows this type ofexercising apparatus, which has a rotatably supported support plate 17.Preferably, the support plate is arranged with a rotary bearing 24 on acentral bearing, which unlike the preferred embodiment of the thirdexercising apparatus, i.e., the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 6, is notintended for tilting or bending and is therefore essentially constructedrigid and/or tilt-resistant. In a simple embodiment, this centralbearing can be formed by a prism and/or cylinder which can beconstructed of wood, plastic and/or metal. However, the central bearingcan also be constructed in a similar fashion as the embodiment of FIG.6.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show another preferred embodiment of an exercisingapparatus 2, 3, 8, 10 which includes a suspended support plate 17 thatessentially enables the support plate 17 to gyrate and swingunimpededly. The support plate 17 is suspended in a frame from strings22, ropes and/or springs.

The exercising apparatuses 2, 3, 8, 10 depicted in FIGS. 4 to 7 andFIGS. 9 and 10 represent, as already mentioned, only exemplaryembodiments of the first, second, third and/or fourth exercisingapparatus 2, 3, 8, 10. Accordingly, other exercising apparatuses may beprovided, or individual exercising apparatuses 2, 3, 8, 10 can berepresented several times in a single training arrangement 1 accordingto the invention.

The various exercising apparatuses 2, 3, 8, 10 can be arranged in anypredeterminable manner, and in a predeterminable order. Preferably, theyare arranged in a straight line, as depicted in the exemplary floor planin FIG. 8. The first, second, third and fourth exercising apparatuses 2,3, 8, 10 are here implemented according to the afore-described preferredembodiment and each have a holding rail 23. A display screen 16 isassociated with each of the exercising apparatuses 2, 3, 8, 10, whichare connected with a single computer 4, 5, 9, 11 representing aone-piece construction of the first, second, third and fourth computer4, 5, 9, 11, and connected with this computer 4, 5, 9, 11, enabling thesubject to receive training instructions and call up training results.The display screen 16 can be implemented as a touchscreen, which thesubject can use to log in at the exercising apparatus 2, 3, 8, 10.According to another preferred embodiment, the exercising apparatuses 2,3, 8, 10 of a training arrangement 1 may be arranged in a circle.

It will be understood that different features of the present inventioncan be combined with one another to attain various other modificationsand variations of the present invention.

1-11. (canceled)
 12. A training arrangement, comprising: a firstexercising apparatus connected to a first computer that controls andrecords a training program, a second exercising apparatus configureddifferent from the first exercising apparatus and connected to a secondcomputer that controls and records a training program, with the firstcomputer and the second computer constructed for exchanging data betweenthe first and second computers for adapting settings, parameters andtraining programs selected on the second exercising apparatus toperformance results attained by a subject on the first exercisingapparatus, wherein the first exercising apparatus and the secondexercising apparatus are selected from the group consisting of: anexercising apparatus for training and/or determining body stabilityabout a first axis, exercising apparatus for training and/or fordetermining body stability about a second axis which is essentiallyperpendicular to the first axis, exercising apparatus for trainingand/or for determining body stability about the first axis and thesecond axis, exercising apparatus for training and/or for determiningbody stability about a rotation axis which is substantiallyperpendicular to the first axis and the second axis, and exercisingapparatus for training and/or for determining body stability duringsubstantially unrestrained gyrating or swinging, thereby training anddetermining the body stability or measuring a body stability index aboutmutually different body axes.
 13. The training arrangement of claim 12,wherein the first computer and the second computer are connected by adata line.
 14. The training arrangement of claim 12, wherein the data isselected from the group consisting of control data, training data, andpersonal data.
 15. The training arrangement of claim 12, wherein thefirst computer and the second computer are arranged in a network. 16.The training arrangement of claim 12, wherein the first computer and thesecond computer are constructed as a single piece.
 17. The trainingarrangement of claim 12, further comprising a biometric station with afifth computer configured for data exchange with the first, second,third or fourth computer.
 18. The training arrangement of claim 17,wherein the fifth computer is configured to detect or record biometricdata of a subject.
 19. The training arrangement of claim 17, wherein thebiometric data are selected from the group consisting of mass, weight,body fat, glucose level and pulse.
 20. The training arrangement of claim12, further comprising a third exercising apparatus with a thirdcomputer, with the third computer configured for data exchange with thefirst or the second computer, or both, and with the third exercisingapparatus selected from the group consisting of exercising apparatus fortraining and/or for determining body stability about a first axis,exercising apparatus for training and/or for determining body stabilityabout a second axis which is essentially perpendicular to the firstaxis, exercising apparatus for training and/or for determining bodystability about the first axis and the second axis, exercising apparatusfor training and/or for determining body stability about a rotation axiswhich is substantially perpendicular to the first axis and the secondaxis, and exercising apparatus for training and/or for determining bodystability during substantially unrestrained gyrating or swinging. 21.The training arrangement of claim 20, wherein the third exercisingapparatus is configured different from the first exercising apparatus orthe second exercising apparatus.
 22. The training arrangement of claim20, further comprising a fourth exercising apparatus with a fourthcomputer, with the fourth computer configured for data exchange with thefirst, the second or the third computer, with the fourth exercisingapparatus selected from the group consisting of exercising apparatus fortraining and/or for determining body stability about a first axis,exercising apparatus for training and/or for determining body stabilityabout a second axis which is essentially perpendicular to the firstaxis, exercising apparatus for training and/or for determining bodystability about the first axis and the second axis, exercising apparatusfor training and/or for determining body stability about a rotation axiswhich is substantially perpendicular to the first axis and the secondaxis, and exercising apparatus for training and/or for determining bodystability during substantially unrestrained gyrating or swinging. 23.The training arrangement of claim 22, wherein the fourth exercisingapparatus is configured different from the first exercising apparatus orthe second exercising apparatus or the third exercising apparatus. 24.The training arrangement of claim 22, further comprising an additionalexercising apparatus with an additional computer, with the additionalcomputer configured for data exchange with the first, second, third, orfourth computer, with the additional exercising apparatus selected fromthe group consisting of exercising apparatus for training and/or fordetermining body stability about a first axis, exercising apparatus fortraining and/or for determining body stability about a second axis whichis essentially perpendicular to the first axis, exercising apparatus fortraining and/or for determining body stability about the first axis andthe second axis, exercising apparatus for training and/or fordetermining body stability about a rotation axis which is substantiallyperpendicular to the first axis and the second axis, and exercisingapparatus for training and/or for determining body stability duringsubstantially unrestrained gyrating or swinging.
 25. The trainingarrangement of claim 24, wherein the additional exercising apparatus isconfigured different from the first exercising apparatus or the secondexercising apparatus or the third exercising apparatus or the fourthexercising apparatus.